The deadline for submitting nominations for the European Commission ends at the end of August. With the time now counting down, the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has returned from her summer vacation and is getting to work. The “backlogs” are almost closed and only three countries remain to open their papers.
The candidates will have to be approved by the European Parliament in a process that is expected to be completed at the end of September or the beginning of October with the president of the Commission undertaking to choose the portfolios for her “chosen”.
The portfolio claimed by Greece
The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has chosen Apostolos Tzitzikostas – regional governor of Central Macedonia – as a candidate commissioner and according to Politico the Greek government is targeting the “Cohesion and Reforms” portfolio. This is a position linked to the EU’s regional economic policy and Athens expresses the belief that Mr. Tzitzikostas will eventually take on this role. The news site cites information from a senior Greek official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Like all the candidates proposed by each national government to take up a post in the new European Commission, they need the approval of von der Leyen and the European Parliament, with the president of the Commission having the final say on the role each commissioner will assume.
Italy is also in the “battle” for the “Cohesion and Reforms” portfolio, according to Politico, with Raffaele Fitto.
How will the money be distributed?
The bloc’s next seven-year budget, which will be up for debate, is expected to determine how funds will be distributed to Europe’s economically weakest regions. The European Commission is considering linking funding to the delivery of domestic reforms. The plans have raised alarm among districts worried they will be sidelined in how that money is spent.
The candidates for the Commission (except three) are:
Germany – Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission). Austria – Magnus Brunner. Belgium – Unknown. Bulgaria – Unknown. Croatia – Dubravka Suitsa. Cyprus – Kostas Kadis. Czech Republic – Joseph Sikela. Denmark – Dan Jorgensen. Estonia – Kaya Kallas. Finland – Hena Virkunen. France – Thierry Breton. Greece – Apostolos Tzitzikostas. Hungary – Oliver Varcheli. Ireland – Michael McGrath. Italy – Unknown. Latvia – Valdis Dombrovskis. Lithuania – Andrius Kubilius. Luxembourg – Christoph Hansen. Malta – Glen Micallef. Netherlands – Bopke Hoekstra. Poland – Piotr Serafin. Portugal – Maria Luis Albuquerque. Romania – Victor Negrescu. Slovakia – Maros Sefcovic. Slovenia – Thomas Wezel. Spain – Teresa Ribera. Sweden – Jessica Roswell
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